Random Update (3.25.13)

On Friday morning I sat down with Jennie, a senior who went to the school I'll be at in Barcelona. I get more excited to go each day, but it's also kinda weird that over half of my physical time at Boston College is already over. Actually, it's really weird. That afternoon I played soccer in the bubble for a little while, until getting kicked out around 5:00 PM by the stupid BC bubble staff even though no one was scheduled until 8:00 PM. And no one I mean no one was in there for us to bother by playing soccer. I don't want to talk about that. It gives me a headache. Anywho, I went back and took a shower, and then Lorena, Jim and I took the T downtown to Wilbur Theater to see Demetri Martin. He was hilarious. And we all got his book autographed after the show.

On Saturday I spent a few hours in the library with Lorena and her friend. She edited my short Spanish paper after I finished most of it. Then, it was off to Chipotle around 3:30 PM for a late lunch with Miguel and some other people. Around 5:00 PM, we played soccer again. It was a smaller group, maybe around 20 total. However, 7-8 varsity seniors came out to play and really stepped up the level of play. That was great. After 2 hours of soccer, I ran over to an acapella concert that a few friends of mine sing in. They are called The Acoustics. Best song of the night was "Creep" by Radiohead. The dude killed it. It was great. After getting back and showering, Jose and I went over to Voute, a residence hall on campus, so see some friends and enjoy some Venezuelan cooking. Fried cheese balls and empenadas. SO. GOOD. Also, my friend Nick played "Creep" on guitar which was awesome, too (Nick was my roommate last summer). After the cheese balls and guitar, Jose and I went off campus to one of his friend's apartments, where I got to practice speaking Spanish, which was great. I love opportunities like that. Also, Spanish music. Love that too. 

Sunday we had club soccer practice at night. And that morning I did laundry. I had a HUGE blister on my left foot that still hurts today (Monday). No soccer until after break, methinks. 

I still don't think it was real.

Random Update (3.20.13)

I just got lunch today with Jeff, my roommate from last year. I think Jeff says it best: "Today does not feel like the first day of spring." Yesterday we got about 8" or 10" more snow, and all morning classes were cancelled. It is so cold and wet and nasty outside. I picked a good year to run the marathon, because I don't think I would do any of the training runs in this kind of weather. However, people running this year probably won't have to run in 90+ degree heat. 

Last week was pretty nice. I had a physics test on Tuesday which was pretty easy, and also a problem set due in my economics class. But as for school work, most of that had already happened before spring break.

It was a big, sad week for professional soccer. Arsenal beat Bayern Munich, but still did not advance in the tournament. A couple club soccer teammates and friends went to Roggies for some food and the game. It was a great game, especially after Giroud's early goal. But still, I had a headache for two days afterwards. 

It was a big, awesome week for BC soccer. We played pickup in the bubble (the bubble is the football field with a big bubble over it) on Thursday and Friday, plus club practice on Saturday. I was exhausted on Saturday night. 

On Thursday after soccer, I got food with some of the guys who played, and then had a Spain mentoring sessions with Ethan and Both, two seniors who went abroad last year. I could listen to those guys for hours. 

Sunday a big crew went into Boston for St. Patrick's day. We missed the parade, but got some pizza and then had dessert at this chocolate place that was really good. Here's photo.

Alex, Kara, Angela, me, Jonathan, Rafa, and Miguel

Yesterday I managed to walk through the nastiness to the Office of International Programs (called OIP for short) and dropped off my packet of paperwork for Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. I hear back in May with my official, final acceptance, so it is now time to sit tight and enjoy BC. 

This Friday, Jim, Lorena, and I are going to see Demitri Martin. Oh. Yeah.

Random Update (3.10.13)

Spring Break! Here goes.

Friday: Left with Pat's cousins for Portland, ME. Alex was late, and we hit heavy traffic. Five people + luggage in a Toyota Corrolla made for a tight back seat. We stopped at McD's on Route 1, and eventually made it to Pat's house around 8:00 PM. We unpacked and took showers, played some ping pong and darts in the basement with Pat and his younger brother, Tim (Junior in high school). Later that night, we played an insane board game called Arkham Horror. It is a board game based on H.P. Lovecraft's stories, so, it's pretty wild. 

Saturday: After a lazy morning, I brainstormed for a summer grant application I'm applying for through BC and thought about/investigated summer things to do, like NYC and internships and stuff. That afternoon, Pat, Alex, Tim, two of Tim's school friends and I went to the YMCA and played 3v3 basketball and soccer. It was a little chilly outside, but it was very fun, and we beat the high schooler challengers (they wanted practice for their intramural league). We went back to the house to shower, and then Pat's dad cooked some steaks and fries. After dinner, we went bowling with Alex, Pat Tim, Tim's friend, and Tim and Pat's little sister, Mary (11 years old, a Jane-type person). I bowled my first turkey and scored a 173, which was surprising. Alex lost to Mary, which was not too surprising. I actually won some money off of that (not really). After we got back, Alex, Pat, and I watched The Incredibles. Such a quality film. 

Sunday: Another lazy morning, although I believe Pat got up to get a haircut from his mom, who was repaid by Pat going to church. I brainstormed things for an hour or so over breakfast. That afternoon, Alex, Pat, Tim and I played Dominion, another board game, but more medieval and not-Lovecraftian. Around 6 we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for some buffalo wings, which were quite tastified. After dinner we played Spectrum, a card game similar to Spades, with the same crew + Mr. Jerome and Mary. Later that evening, Alex, Pat and I watched the classic 1978 animated Lord of the Rings. Compared to the modern version of the early 2000's, it was a comedy. We laughed heartily. But back in its day it was nominated for a Golden Globe, believe it or don't. 

Monday: Blueberry cake for breakfast! And lunch. And late night snack. We played some darts and ping pong, some spectrum, and late into the evening I had some coffee ice cream with raspberry syrup on top. Wow, what a combination of tastes. 

Tuesday: Alex, Pat, and I got up at 8:00 AM to eat, pack, and go to the airport around 10:45 AM. We flew through LaGuardia, which was supposed to have a Five Guys joint, but didn't. Before the plane to Jacksonville, I had to check my bag because there wasn't room in the overhead space. So me and a nice guy from New Zealand waited for them to check our respective bags while everyone else sat seated in their sitting seats. Soon we landed in JAX airport, and met up with Zach, Veb, Hannah, and Granny! Granny is awesome and really funny. What a lovely person. The drive to the house was a little over an hour. She made spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, and afterwards we watched Granny's favorite modern movie, The Other Guys. That's a funny one, folks. Mid-movie, we took a driving tour of the town of St. Simons Island, and finished it when we got back (plus ice cream!). Then we went to bed. 

Wednesday: Angela arrived early in JAX, Hannah and Granny went to get her. I brainstormed more in the morning and started writing the grant proposal. Granny had gathered together 7 bikes (1 recumbent- Pat claimed that for his own) and we attacked the beach with blankets and a soccer ball. It was so unbelievably windy. Pat and I had to build an impressive wind shield to rest comfortably in the sun. Also, the soccer ball disappeared! We think it got blown outrageously downwind and out to sea by the wind while we weren't paying attention. Afterwards, we biked to Sal's Pizzeria for some good, good pizza. When we got back to Granny's house, we played Spectrum while people took turns showering. After showers, we went to Chic-Fil-A (YES!) and introduced the deprived people of New York and Maine to the chicken sandwich. Then we went bowling with everyone. After a low-100's performance, Pat and I decided to have a speed competition with the 6lb balls... I believe he won with a 24.57 mph throw. However, we both developed powerful techniques which, when they hit anywhere within two pins of the center, were extremely successful. And throwing bowling balls that fast makes really cool noises. When we got back to the house, we played Balderdash and watched Rat Race. 

Sal's pizza.

Beach ballin.

A disappointing shot.

The Great Wind Wall. 

Thursday: Lazy morning, we got going around 1:00 or 2:00 PM. We biked to 'the village' where there are some shops and the pier and water and overall nice things. It was sunny and really nice out, we threw a frisbee around in the park, and then walked over to mini golf. I lost by one stroke because on the last hole, my ball hit a piece of mulch. It was tragic. We went to a nice little coffee shop and I had a delicious apple pastry thingy with sugary coffee. Coffee isn't too bad. I feel so old saying that. After biking back to Granny's, we showered and then had some bar-b-que sandwiches. Later that evening, we all went to a bar/lounge called Rafters and played some darts and pool. After the festivities, Alex taught everyone how to play Truco, a Brazilian card game. We played until 3:00 AM. 

Friday: Lazy morning again (theme of the trip), we biked to the beach, where it was less windy and much warmer. We left to catch a 4:00 PM showing of Oz, which is a decent movie, if you aren't a harsh movie-going person. It is geared towards a younger audience than ourselves, though. After biking back to Granny's, we had some homemade shrimp and grits, which was really delicious. Later that evening, Hannah and Angela and I went to go pick up a pizza and a card + gift for Granny. After everyone signed the card, we presented Granny (her name is Ms. Delea, by the way) with her gift, which she really seemed to appreciate a lot. Around 10:30 PM we all drove over to a gelato place. This one flavor called 'summer peach' was really, really good. Tasted like summer. After dessert, we played a final game of balderdash before relaxing on our last night in St. Simons. 

Saturday: Departure! Just a lot of traveling. Pat and I would have arrived after midnight on our original flights, so we decided to switch to tickets on the direct flight (which Alex was going on) for $50. Since we arrived back earlier, we could take the T back to campus, and avoid a large taxi fee. So it kinda evened out... saved about 3 hours of a layover in JFK, so that was worth it too. 

Everybody on Friday afternoon: Zach, Pat, Hannah, Veb, Angela, me, and Alex.